Mali's armed forces have ordered an investigation into a video showing a man in Malian military uniform , who cuts up a corpse in front of other servicemen, the army commander announced yesterday in a statement, describing the footage as a "rare atrocity," similar to cannibalism, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The senior military official added that cannibalism is at odds with the West African nation's military values.
Human rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Malian soldiers of serious abuses, including executions and torture, against civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups that have been waging insurgency in the Sahel since 2012. The army has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The shocking video was widely shared on “X” on Tuesday, but was later taken down for violating the platform's rules.
The video shows a man in military uniform and FAMA insignia cutting open a dead man's stomach with a machete.
Speaking in the local Malian Bambara language, the man says he will eat the victim's liver, while a group of men in military uniform laugh as he cuts open the corpse.
Reuters did not confirm the authenticity of the video, which sparked outrage and disgust among social media users before it was taken down.
Mali's army is trying to deal with jihadist groups, some linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, which took root in the barren northern regions more than a decade ago and have since spread into neighboring and coastal countries.< /p>
Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions forcibly displaced as the extremists have seized significant territory and foreign-backed armies counter them.
The authorities' failure to restore security has led to two military coups in Mali, two in neighboring Burkina Faso and one in Niger since 2020.
Juntas in all three countries cut ties with traditional Western allies and turned to Russia for military support.